Thameslink Frequently Asked Questions

What is happening?
Network Rail is rebuilding London Bridge mainline station to provide more space, improved connections to more destinations and more reliable services. It is part of the Thameslink Programme to transform north‐south travel through London.

Who is involved in the Thameslink Programme?
The Thameslink Programme is sponsored by the Department for Transport (DfT). Station, track and signalling works is being carried out by Network Rail working closely with the train operating companies Southeastern, Southern, Thameslink and Transport for London to try to minimise disruption.

What is happening at London Bridge station?
London Bridge will have new platforms for more trains and a new concourse. The track outside the station will be re-configured, which will reduce delays previously caused by trains having to cross in front of one another and having to wait outside the station for platforms to clear.

How long will it last?
The station redevelopment will be complete in 2018. The work is being carried out in phases in order to keep the station working during construction. This means a rolling programme of service and station changes up to early 2018.

How will my services be affected?

Between 22-24 December:
Some morning peak trains to Charing Cross will not be stopping at London Bridge.

From 12 January 2015 until August 2016:
Services to and from Charing Cross will not call at London Bridge.
Charing Cross services to and from New Cross, St Johns, Deptford, Greenwich, Maze Hill and Westcombe Park will be permanently diverted to and from Cannon Street.
Charing Cross services to Plumstead, Woolwich Dockyard, Belvedere and Erith will also be diverted to run to/from Cannon Street.

From August 2016 until January 2018:
Charing Cross services will resume calling at London Bridge.
Cannon Street services will not call at London Bridge.

Is there anything happening at London Bridge Underground station and will Underground services be affected?
No works are taking place at London Bridge Underground station, however some tube lines and stations will be busier than usual during the service changes, as National Rail customers are diverted and use alternative routes to get to their destinations. The Jubilee line at London Bridge, Southwark and Waterloo may be exceptionally busy.

I work in the area ‐ will my employer know what is happening? What support is available to employers?
The Thameslink Programme has said they are working closely with local councils and business improvement districts to provide comprehensive and timely information about major planned periods of disruption to affected businesses and their staff, as well as holding a number of briefing sessions. They will also have a specific business advice webpage with resources and information for businesses.

Will the wider area around the station be closed?
The London Bridge area will be ‘open for business’ throughout the rebuild of the rail station.

How will passengers with disabilities / mobility issues be able to reach London Bridge for Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals?
Throughout service changes, passengers will still be able to get to the London Bridge area and Guy’s Hospital, although passengers may need to take alternative routes. Thameslink say they are working with Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals to advise patients on how to get to them during service disruption. Anyone needing mobility assistance should speak to their station staff or contact their train operator in advance.

Where can I find more information?
Go to http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/ and click on the Thameslink tab.
Visit http://www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk/ to sign up for email alerts.
You can also follow on twitter @TLProgramme sign up for a reminder on planned disruption by texting TLP and your home station to 60777.
For specific questions about the work email contact@thameslinkprogramme.co.uk or call the Network Rail National Helpline on 08457 11 41 41.

Travel advice and information about tickets
If you regularly use a service to Charing Cross or change at London Bridge, the alternatives you can consider include:

Changing the train you catch from your home station so that you don’t need to change onto a different service – catch a Cannon Street service which will still call at London Bridge. This may involve travelling a few minutes earlier or later.

Look at the options available at the London end of your journey – for example walking from your final station, cycling or catching a bus.

Passengers who are travelling to Charing Cross or Waterloo East are required to change at London Bridge for bus or Underground services or continue on to Cannon Street and complete their journeys by bus or Underground.

Tickets will be accepted on London Underground and eligible bus services on the section of routes between London Bridge and Waterloo/Southwark, between London Bridge and Charing Cross and between Cannon Street and Charing Cross/Embankment. Greenwich passengers may use the DLR for travel between Greenwich and Lewisham services outside of London, TfL has agreed to accept tickets at specific London Underground stations and on specific bus routes without you being charged.

However if you do use a different route or enter/exit the TfL network at a different location from those outlined below you will be charged a fare for the journey. The routes are:

Between London Bridge and Waterloo/Southwark on the Jubilee line and on bus services (services 381 and RV1) on the section of route between London Bridge and Waterloo.

Between London Bridge and Charing Cross on Jubilee/Bakerloo/Northern Lines and on bus services (services RV1 and 15) on the section of route between London Bridge and Charing Cross.

Between Cannon Street and Charing Cross/Embankment on District/Circle lines and on bus services (service 15) on the section of route between Cannon Street and Charing Cross.

Between Elephant and Castle and London Bridge on Northern Line and on bus services (service 35, 40, 133 & 343) on the section of route between Elephant and Castle and London Bridge.

Between Blackfriars and London Bridge and on bus services (service 17 (Blackfriars North), 381 & RV1 (Blackfriars South)) on the section of route
between Blackfriars and London Bridge.

Greenwich passengers may use the DLR for travel between Greenwich and Lewisham

The ticketing arrangement applies to all ticket types including National Rail season tickets and day tickets, Oyster Pay As you Go, Contactless and Southern Smartcards. If you have a Travelcard (daily or season) you can use any route; however if you have a ‘London Terminals’ tickets will need to follow the specified routes to complete journeys. If you travel with an Oyster or Contactless will need to following specified routes to avoid being charged.

If you have a National Rail only season ticket that is valid after 12 January 2015, your ticket will need to be reissued with the correct coding so that London Underground ticket gates can recognise them. The train operators have promised that they will communicate to passengers about this process.